Ferguson Marine Loans 2017 and 2018: FOI release

Information requested

1. I'm trying to establish whether the two loans of £15million and £30million advanced to Ferguson Marine in 2017 and 2018 were notified to the European Commission and what was their response.
2. Were the Commission guidelines on Rescue and Restructuring Aid followed in making these loans and if not why not ?
3. Where were details of these loans published on the relevant Scottish Government website as required by the guidelines, and how do I access this?

Response

1. I'm trying to establish whether the two loans of £15million and £30million advanced to Ferguson Marine in 2017 and 2018 were notified to the European Commission and what was their response.

The two commercial loans of £15 million and £30 million advanced to Ferguson Marine in 2017 and 2018 were compliant with state aid rules and therefore no notification to the European Commission was required.

2. Were the Commission guidelines on Rescue and Restructuring Aid followed in making these loans and if not why not ?

The commercial loans advanced to Ferguson Marine did not contain state aid.

3. Where were details of these loans published on the relevant Scottish Government website as required by the guidelines, and how do I access this?

Some of the information you have requested has already been published online. Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. For ease, I have provided direct links below:

Ferguson Marine: documents - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Ferguson Marine: background to the company being taken into public ownership - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.